Brazil tops FIFA rankings after seven-year wait

Brazil topped FIFA international rankings for the first time since 2010, ending a seven-year wait for the five-time World Champions.

The Selecao were the first team make it into the 2018 World Cup through qualifiers, and have won nine consecutive games since Tite took over as coach.

Brazil’s ascension allowed them to leapfrog neighbours and fierce rivals Argentina, whose participation at the World Cup in Russia is in doubt following a poor recent form.

Meanwhile, World champions Germany are third and the only non-South American side in the top five, with Chile and Colombia are just behind in fourth and fifth respectively. The South American teams had acquired more ranking points last month by playing two World Cup qualifiers, while European teams played just one.

On the other hand, France remained at sixth place as Belgium were squeezed out of the top five for the first time in three years, dropping to seventh. Euro 2016 champions Portugal remained at eighth place.

Switzerland are the only new team to enter the top 10, up two to ninth, one ahead of Spain.

Russia, hosts to the World Cup next summer, fell one place in rankings to 61st while the Netherlands dropped to 32nd — their lowest-ever ranking.

Egypt, in 19th, leads the African teams, and No. 28 Iran is Asia’s best ranking side. Mexico rose one place to 16th and leads the CONCACAF teams, and the United States climbed seven to 23rd.